What is an appropriate bargaining unit and how is it determined?
For collective bargaining purposes, a labor organization is certified as the exclusive representative of an appropriate unit of employees if three criteria are met: (1) the unit must ensure a clear and identifiable community of interest among the employees as to matters pertaining to terms of employment and working conditions; (2) the unit must promote effective dealings with the employing office; and (3) the unit must promote efficiency of the operations of the employing office. Absent an election agreement between a labor organization and an employing office, a pre-election investigatory hearing will be held and the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance will decide what is an appropriate bargaining unit.
